Ologies with Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

Alie Ward
Science Comedy Society & Culture
en-us
Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

Episodes (51)

Ologies with Alie Ward

Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS) with Aaron Boster

September 03, 2025 1h 37m Episode 467
Neurons. Immune systems. MRIs. Weed gummies? One of the greats in neurology, Dr. Aaron Boster, takes time to chat all about Multiple Sclerosis, a neurological autoimmune disease close to our hearts....
Ologies with Alie Ward

Lutrinology (OTTERS) Encore with Chris J. Law

August 27, 2025 1h 2m Episode 466
YOU’RE NOT READY. But it’s time. Otters. Sea otters. River otters. Big beefy otters. Tiny otters. Giant river otters. Otters chasing you down the street. Dr. Chris J. Law, a professional...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM) with Joshua Greene

August 20, 2025 1h 22m Episode 465
Train tracks. Split decisions. And a philosophy humdinger worth debating. Dr. Joshua Greene is a Harvard Psychology professor, neuroscientist, and *actual* Trolleyologist. This thought experiment pops...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Tempestology (HURRICANES) Part 2 with Dr. Kim Wood & Matt Lanza

August 13, 2025 1h 1m Episode 464
The info storm continues! Part 1 covered the anatomy of a cyclonic storm, the bizarre histories behind the category system, and where hurricanes come from, but this week’s conclusion with Matt Lanza...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Tempestology (HURRICANES) Part 1 with Matt Lanza & Dr. Kim Wood

August 06, 2025 1h 11m Episode 463
Hurricanes. Typhoons. Cyclones. Tropical storms. Tropical depressions. What does it all MEAAAN? Let’s dive in. Career meteorologists Dr. Kim Wood of the University of Arizona and Space City Weather’s...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Bonus Episode: Optical Technology (HISTORY OF EYEGLASSES + MODERN DAY VISION)

August 01, 2025 51m Episode 462
When were glasses invented? What happened back then if your horse stepped on them? How is the digital age changing adults’ and kids’ vision? The first half of this special bonus episode about Optical...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Literary Olfactology (THE POLITICS OF SMELL) with Ally Louks

July 30, 2025 1h 19m Episode 461
Smell and culture. Scent descriptions in novels. Fragrances and class. Stink and stigmas. We cover it all. Scholar, author, and Literary Olfactologist Dr. Ally Louks burst into the zeitgeist in 2024...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Bonus Episode: The OCD Experience with Neurobiologist Uma Chatterjee

July 29, 2025 48m Episode 460
This one’s all about lived experience: What's it like to have OCD? What’s the therapy all about? How do you support people with it? And how to accept the darkest thoughts that might haunt you. As a...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD) with Wayne Goodman

July 23, 2025 1h 19m Episode 459
Ruminations and reassurances. Checking and counting. Suffering and stigmas. It’s OCD, babes! OCD is now considered one of the most common psychiatric conditions, afflicting 2% to 3% of the general...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Fromology (CHEESE) Part 2 with Kyra James

July 16, 2025 1h 12m Episode 458
We’re back with molten hot cheese trivia in Part 2 with Fromologist Kyra James of OwnYourFunk.com. Part 1 covered the foundations and this week we address your listener questions about cows on boats,...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Fromology (CHEESE) Part 1 with Kyra James

July 09, 2025 1h 10m Episode 457
Soft. Hard. Fresh. Aged. Stinky. Illegal. Let’s talk cheese with Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) and Fromologist, Kyra James. We chat about proprietary bacterial slurries, basement caves, cheese...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Lampyridology (FIREFLIES) aka Sparklebuttology Updated Encore with Sara Lewis

July 02, 2025 1h 7m Episode 456
Let’s light up your life and butt. World-renowned firefly expert Dr. Sara Lewis of Tufts University gives us some updates to her 2021 episode, sharing her love of a bug that many think is merely...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Crotalology (RATTLESNAKES) with Emily Taylor

June 25, 2025 1h 21m Episode 455
Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Aquaculture Ecology (SUSTAINABLE OCEAN FOODS) with Ben Halpern

June 18, 2025 1h 25m Episode 454
Farmed versus wild. Basement shrimp hustles. Mangrove drama. Anthropology. Animal welfare and plant-based diets. Climb aboard to meet UCSB’s super cool dude, researcher and Aquaculture Ecologist, Dr....
Ologies with Alie Ward

Bonus Episode: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. Let's read it together.

June 14, 2025 1h 25m Episode 453
Have you ever read every word of The U.S. Constitution? You don't have to, because I read it with my mouth into your brain in this weird but vital episode on civil liberties. And of course, there are...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Macrophycology (SEAWEED) with Patrick Martone, Charles Yarish, Danielle McHaskell, Angela Jones, and Becky Swerida

June 11, 2025 1h 30m Episode 452
Moonlit seaweeds. Dreamy underwater forests. Mounds of beach debris. Not plants. Let’s talk about where seaweed grows and whether or not it will save us all. Macrophycology means “big-ass algae” so...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Cryptology (SECRET CODES) with Simon Singh

June 04, 2025 1h 15m Episode 451
Secret ciphers. Hidden treasure. Enigma breakers. Mysterious manuscripts. And … hog Latin. Cryptology expert and author of “The Code Book,” Simon Singh finally lets me ask him about the small mistakes...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Urocyonology (LITTLE GRAY FOXES) with Bill Leikam

May 28, 2025 1h 13m Episode 450
Bushy tails! Stinky butts! Faces so cute you weep! Let’s talk foxes – specifically the little gray ones you never knew you loved. Fox behavioral expert, researcher, conservationist, author of “The...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS) Encore with Chanelle Zaphiropoulos

May 21, 2025 1h 39m Episode 449
Shipwrecks. Treasure. Sunken planes. Scuttled submarines. New life forming around old machinery. There’s an -ology for that -- just ask Maritime Archaeologist and wreck nerd Chanelle Zaphiropoulos....
Ologies with Alie Ward

Araneology (SPIDERS) with Marshal Hedin

May 14, 2025 1h 33m Episode 448
Why would a spider have a frog best friend? Why do they love your shower? Does lemon repel them? Should you rehome them outside? Why so hairy? How do you identify the harmless ones? Which ones get...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Artificial Intelligence Ethicology (WILL A.I. CRASH OUT?) with Abeba Birhane

May 08, 2025 1h 15m Episode 447
Who’s babysitting AI? Will it steal your job? What happens when you’re rude to a chatbot? Cognitive scientist, Trinity College professor and Artificial Intelligence Ethicologist Dr. Abeba Birhane...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 2 with Julia Hotz

April 30, 2025 53m Episode 446
It’s Part 2 of how to fix your life with hobbies! Pretty much. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure” Julia Hotz explains the science behind forest bathing, how privilege affects accessibility to...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 1 with Julia Hotz

April 23, 2025 1h 6m Episode 445
Crafting. Motorcycle repair. Banjo lessons. Hobbies aren’t a reward, but tools to save your mental and physical health. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure,” — and professional Salugenology...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER) with AJR’s Adam Met

April 16, 2025 1h 19m Episode 444
Cleaner energy! Reasoning with climate deniers! Using fandom to pass policy! And not burning out. Adam Met, of the colossal indie pop band AJR is also a career climate activist, an International Human...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE) Encore with Robin Nagle

April 09, 2025 1h 30m Episode 443
Landfills! Treasures in the trash! Corporate conspiracies! Composting! An instantly classic conversation with the incredibly knowledgeable, frank and wonderful Dr. Robin Nagle of New York University’s...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Medieval Codicology (WEIRD MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ART & MEMES & SNAILS) with Evan Pridmore

April 02, 2025 1h 14m Episode 442
Medieval art memes! Human-faced animals! Drunk monks! And a preponderance of snails. Middle Ages manuscript expert, art history communicator, and Medieval Codicologist Evan Pridmore covers: what those...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Domestic Phytology (HOUSEPLANTS) with Tyler Thrasher

March 26, 2025 1h 33m Episode 441
Fungus gnats. Overloved cacti. Fiddle fig failures. $20,000 specimens. It’s house plants — and it’s wild, folks. Widely beloved author, artist, house plant expert and Domestic Phytologist Tyler...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID) Part 2 with Wes Ely

March 19, 2025 1h 0m Episode 440
Long Covid Part 2: Treatments. Studies. Histamines. Hormones. POTS. Clots. Hearts. Hope. Highly-respected Long Covid expert, Dr. Wes Ely, is back for all of your listener questions. We also check in...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID) Part 1 with Wes Ely

March 12, 2025 55m Episode 439
What is Long Covid? Is it real? What does it feel like? Do you have it? And how do you cure it? With fatigue and brain fog, you don’t want to spend hours scrolling through conflicting opinions. So...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Reality TV Sociology (‘TRASH’ TV) with Danielle Lindemann

March 05, 2025 1h 14m Episode 438
Nude strangers. Icy roads. Brain rot. True love. Class warfare. Queer visibility. Scripted ad libs. Sociologist, professor, author of the book “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us,” and straight...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Field Trip: Activism Art Panel Recorded at WonderCon

March 01, 2025 35m Episode 437
Exactly the inspiration you need. Exactly the perfect time. Pass it on to anyone who loves art and/or speaking up. I went to Comic-Con’s little sister, WonderCon, to moderate a panel on protest art...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Cardiology (THE HEART) with Herman Taylor

February 26, 2025 1h 21m Episode 436
It beats. It throws blood. It breaks – but not if Dr. Herman Taylor can help it. He is a physician, professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Erethizonology (PORCUPINES) with Tim Bean

February 19, 2025 1h 12m Episode 435
Barbs. Grunts. Bone caves. Dogs who got too close. We got porcupines, folks. Dr. Tim Bean of Cal Poly is as charming an ologist you can get, fielding questions about porcupine squeaks, stanks,...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Updated Encore with Dr. Robert Proctor

February 12, 2025 1h 20m Episode 434
Yes, there is an -ology for that. And yes, we’re airing this episode -– with a ton of 2025 updates -– because it’s never felt more relevant. Dr. Robert Proctor is a Stanford professor of the History...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Hippopotomology (HIPPOS) with Rebecca Lewison

February 05, 2025 1h 6m Episode 433
Do they sweat blood? Will one kill you? What are cocaine hippos? Is Moo Deng… okay? Actual real life Hippopotomologist Dr. Rebecca Lewison explains how hippos have some of the best – and worst – PR. ...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Thyroidology (THYROID GLAND) with Kepal Patel

January 29, 2025 1h 17m Episode 432
Sad? Cold? Hot? Wired? Blame the thyroid. Maybe. In your throat there is a butterfly-shaped gland under a shield-shaped Adam’s Apple and it controls your whole life, kind of. We asked Thyroidologist...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Eco-Odorology (SCIENCE-SNIFFING DOGS) with Kayla Fratt

January 22, 2025 1h 4m Episode 431
Dogs doing science. With their faces. As a follow-up to last week’s Ethnocynology episode about humans domesticating wolves, we chat with conservation biologist and Eco-odorologist Kayla Fratt (and...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME) with David Ian Howe

January 15, 2025 1h 13m Episode 430
Ancient dogs! Domestic wolves! Anthropology! Archaeology! It’s all Ethnocynology: when humans and dogs started living and working together. The wonderful and iconic David Ian Howe is an educator and...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Fire Ecology (WILDFIRES & INDIGENOUS FIRE MANAGEMENT) Mega Encore with Gavin Jones & Amy Christianson (LA Fires Re-Release)

January 10, 2025 2h 36m Episode 429
As wildfires burn across L.A. — and my neighborhood evacuates — we thought it would be a good time to encore these Fire Ecology episodes so I can literally catch my breath. First Dr. Gavin Jones...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Eudemonology (HAPPINESS) Encore with Laurie Santos

December 31, 2024 1h 13m Episode 428
HAPPINESS RESEARCH, straight up. What is happiness? How do our circumstances affect happiness? Why is the word “gratitude” kinda cringey? What can we do to feel better? Should we feel guilty for...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Cabinology (CABINS) Encore with Dale Mulfinger

December 24, 2024 1h 2m Episode 427
The time is right to revisit cabins: Log cabins, woodsy getaways, A-frame cuties, cottages, tiny homes, lake houses. WE GET INTO IT, including 2024 updates. World famous Minnesota architect, author,...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Castorology (BEAVERS) with Rob Rich

December 18, 2024 1h 25m Episode 426
Orange teeth! Vanilla butts! Architecture with twigs! Olde-timey joke books? Field naturalist, conservationist, wildlife tracker and “beaver believer” Rob Rich works with the National Wildlife...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Mnemonology (MEMORY) Part 2 with Michael Yassa

December 11, 2024 1h 3m Episode 425
Remembering names! Preventing dementia! Photographic memories! Weed! Goldfish! It’s the thrilling conclusion of Mnemonology with Dr. Michael Yassa, the Director of UC Irvine’s Center for the...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Mnemonology (MEMORY) Part 1 with Michael Yassa

December 04, 2024 1h 15m Episode 424
How are memories made? Where are they stored? Where do they go? What was I just talking about? Neurobiologist, professor, researcher, and Director of UC Irvine’s Center for the Neurobiology of...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES) with Sheila Blumberg

November 27, 2024 1h 18m Episode 423
Vaping and vein health! Covid and clots! Easy bruising! Movie blood! Spider veins! Free socks! The heroic vascular surgeon Dr. Sheila Blumberg of NYU Langone Health let me ask her one million...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Field Trip: A Hawaiian Breadfruit Rev‘ULUtion

November 25, 2024 37m Episode 422
What even IS a breadfruit? How do you cook it? Why have Pacific Islanders grown it for so long? Can it solve world hunger? And what does it have to do with an infamous 18th century mutiny on the high...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Canistrumology (BASKET WEAVING. YES, BASKET WEAVING) with James C. Bamba

November 20, 2024 1h 6m Episode 421
Thorny leaves! Embarrassing imports! Basket gossip! Making cool stuff from invasive vines! Renowned weaver and teacher, James C. Bamba, connected more deeply with his Mariana Island heritage through...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Ergopathology (BURNOUT) with Kandi Wiens

November 13, 2024 1h 7m Episode 420
Exhaustion! Numbness! Anger! You’re stressed out. I get it. Let’s fix it. I cornered one of the world’s experts on Ergopathology, scholar and author Dr. Kandi Wiens, to ask about the causes of...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Odonatology (DRAGONFLIES) with Jessica Ware

November 06, 2024 1h 14m Episode 419
They’re acrobatic fliers with long bodies and veined wings and their babies breathe through their butts: dragonflies. Let’s get into the difference between a damselfly and dragonfly, how fast they...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Field Trip: I Take You to the Making of a Mural

October 30, 2024 33m Episode 418
Folks, come with me. We’re hanging out under some train tracks late at night in Philadelphia doing street art. As the promised companion piece to our wonderful Modern Toichographology episode on...
Ologies with Alie Ward

Confectionology (CANDY) with Susan Benjamin

October 23, 2024 1h 46m Episode 417
Licorice opinions! War chocolate! Candy corn origins, circus peanut secrets, the sourest sourballs, and your great aunt’s purse. Stay until the very end for the biggest shocked laugh I have ever had...

About this Podcast

Copyright
2025 Alie Ward
Language
en-us
Categories
Science, Comedy, Society & Culture